1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 309
 1-3                                  In Memory
 1-4                                     of
 1-5                            John Douglas Wendell
 1-6           WHEREAS, The passing of the Honorable John Douglas Wendell
 1-7     of Fulton on March 17, 2000, at the age of 77, brought great sorrow
 1-8     to the family and friends of this esteemed public servant; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Elected Aransas County judge on January 2, 1951,
1-10     when he was 28 years old, Judge Wendell retired in 1990 after 39
1-11     years in office; he enjoyed the distinction of being both the
1-12     youngest county judge elected in Texas and the longest-serving
1-13     county judge in the state; and
1-14           WHEREAS, During his tenure, Judge Wendell played a major
1-15     role in putting Aransas County finances on a firm footing; he
1-16     was also instrumental in pushing through a number of major
1-17     construction projects, including the Aransas County Library,
1-18     the new courthouse and courthouse addition, the county tax office,
1-19     the county's first juvenile detention center, and renovations at
1-20     the county jail; and
1-21           WHEREAS, Judge Wendell helped to acquire the Aransas County
1-22     Airport from the United States Navy after World War II and assisted
1-23     in its development, and he aided in planning and securing the land
 2-1     for the State Highway 35 bypass; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, In addition to the vital work he performed
 2-3     in the county's quest for essential facilities, Judge Wendell
 2-4     initiated a contract with The University of Texas Medical Branch
 2-5     at Galveston that provides for the treatment of indigent
 2-6     Aransas County patients, and he served as county superintendent
 2-7     of the Aransas County Independent School District; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, Commended by colleagues for his fairness,
 2-9     compassion, commitment to high standards, and staunch dedication
2-10     to Aransas County, Judge Wendell won the respect of all who knew
2-11     him, and it is a privilege now to honor the memory of this
2-12     outstanding Texan; now, therefore, be it
2-13           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-14     77th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of the
2-15     Honorable John Douglas Wendell and extend sincere sympathy
2-16     to his loved ones:  his daughter, Debra Ann Wendell; his sister
2-17     and brother-in-law, Yvonne Fairbrother and Tom Fairbrother; his
2-18     sisters-in-law, Yvonne Wendell, Jan Wendell, and Myrtle Wendell;
2-19     and his many other relatives and friends; and, be it further
2-20           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
2-21     prepared for the members of his family as an expression of deepest
2-22     sympathy from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns
2-23     this day, it do so in memory of Judge John Douglas Wendell.
2-24                                                              Armbrister
2-25                                  ______________________________________
2-26                                         President of the Senate
2-27                                       I hereby certify that the above
 3-1                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
 3-2                                  on February 21, 2001, by a rising vote.
 3-3                                  ______________________________________
 3-4                                         Secretary of the Senate
 3-5                                  ______________________________________
 3-6                                           Member, Texas Senate